Health

UNISON is the UK’s largest health union. More than 60,000 UNISON members work in the NHS in Scotland: nurses, student nurses, midwives, health visitors, healthcare assistants, paramedics, occupational therapists, cleaners, porters, catering staff, medical secretaries, clerical and admin staff and scientific and technical staff.

UNISON cares passionately about the future of the NHS as a publicly funded service that is free at the point of delivery. The NHS is a public service we can all be proud of, and UNISON wants to keep it that way.

See also important information for workers registered with regulatory bodies.

Speaking up for Scotland’s health workers

UNISON organisers and activists work together to make sure our members’ concerns are heard – whether it’s about pay, health and safety, discrimination or the future of our NHS.

  • Offering advice at work;
  • Representing our members in the workplace
  • Lobbying parliaments and government on issues our members care about;
  • Negotiating terms and conditions for NHS Scotland staff;
  • Raising professional and local concerns that affect all health workers.
  • Standing up for the NHS and broader health services

Health News

Patients and staff need action now from John Swinney rather than empty promises

Patients and staff must be at the heart of any Scottish government plans if the NHS is to have any ... Read More

Emergency NHS summit ignores biggest health union

First Minister John Swinney has excluded the largest health union from tomorrow's urgent Bute House summit to discuss the renewal ... Read More

National Care Service Bill (Stage 2) Draft Amendments: Call for Views

On 24 June the Scottish Government belatedly published its draft amendments to the National Care Service (Scotland) bill. This is ... Read More

Biggest NHS union in Scotland votes to accept pay offer

NHS staff have voted to accept the Scottish government’s pay offer, says UNISON today (Friday). Scotland’s biggest health union has ... Read More

UNISON to recommend NHS members accept Scottish government pay offer

UNISON, the biggest union in the NHS, will recommend that its members working in the NHS vote to accept the ... Read More

UNISON to consult NHS staff in Scotland on 5.5% pay offer

UNISON, the biggest union in the NHS, will consider the Scottish government’s offer of a 5.5% pay rise for staff, ... Read More

Briefing 143 National Care Service Bill: Reform of Integrated Joint Boards

This briefing gives an overview of the IJB reforms set out in the government’s Stage 2 amendments to the NCS ... Read More

‘Staffing crisis putting patients at risk’ – new UNISON survey reveals scale of the short-staffing in Scotland’s NHS

UNISON has today (Tuesday) revealed a survey which shows the widespread failure of the Scottish government to prepare the NHS ... Read More

MSPs should support the employment injuries advisory council bill, says UNISON

UNISON, the public services union, is urging MSPs from all parties to support Mark Griffin MSP’s Employment Injuries Advisory Council ... Read More

Christina and Lilian in Shetland and Orkney was a ‘brilliant visit’

General secretary Christina McAnea visited Shetland and Orkney, where she was joined by Scottish secretary Lilian Macer Christina and Lilian ... Read More

Latest briefings and submissions

Briefing 129 NHS Pension Contributions Changes Consultation

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The Scottish Public Pensions Agency (SPPA) is consulting on increasing the overall contribution made by members to the NHS pension ...

Briefing 127 – Scottish Household Survey 2021

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This briefing looks at some key findings of the Scottish Household Survey 2021. This is a general population survey carried ...

UNISON Week 343 – NHS and social care in crisis and more

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UNISON Week 343 - NHS and social care in crisisand more ... Read full newsletter here ...

UNISON Week 342 – NHS In Crisis – Taking The NCS Campaign To Parliament.

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UNISON Week 342 - NHS in crisis, taking the NCS Campaign to Parliament. Read full newsletter here ...

Staff Pensions and the National Care Service

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The creation of a National Care Service could mean around 75,000 council employed social care and social work staff transferring ...

e brief The National Care Service Bill & the NHS

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The National Care Service (Scotland) Bill is being considered by the Scottish Parliament. This e brief looks at the implications ...

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